Can You Really “Hack” Your Way To A Whiter Smile?

May 1, 2016

Spend much time on the internet and you’re probably going to find some reference to “lifehacking.” This phenomenon stems from the idea that much of what we do has become too complicated, and that there are simple solutions available that can save time, money, and effort.

In some cases these “hacks” are true. In other cases they’re questionable at best, such as with several popular teeth whitening hacks that can be easily found online.

At Really Smile Dentistry we want you to get the smile you’ve always dreamed of. In many cases that means you’ll need professional whitening treatment, like the kind we offer at our Carmel office. Take a look at these whitening tricks for yourself, but don’t expect to get the results you’ve always wanted from them!

Peroxide And Baking Soda: Can It Whiten Teeth?

If you’ve spent any time looking into ways to whiten your teeth you’ve probably noticed that hydrogen peroxide is the best way to do it. But don’t assume that brushing your teeth with a mixture of that and baking soda will be enough to whiten your teeth – it simply isn’t!

The hydrogen peroxide gels that are used to whiten your teeth are far stronger than the stuff in that brown bottle. On top of that you won’t even have time to whiten with it – saliva neutralizes hydrogen peroxide really fast!

Baking soda, on the other hand, has been reported to have at least some minimal bleaching effect. Using it repeatedly can actually damage your enamel though, so we advise against trying to whiten your teeth with it. Leave it as a last resort for the days you run out of toothpaste instead.

Mysterious Ancient Medicine: Can It Bleach Your Smile?

In the ancient Ayurvedic medicine system there’s a practice known as oil pulling. It involves using a natural oil, like coconut oil, to clean your mouth by swishing it. After ten to twenty minutes of swishing, they say, you should have a clean set of teeth and be on your way to a whiter smile.

The reality of the situation is a bit different. Sure, oil pulling can get some bacteria off your teeth and even pull dead cells off of your gums, but it isn’t tough enough to remove stains from your teeth. The only thing you’re really going to get from oil pulling, aside from sore cheeks, is a vitamin boost from having oil in your mouth for so long.

Many oil pulling advocates believe that the practice is sufficient for regular oral hygiene, but don’t be mistaken: you need to be brushing and flossing even if you oil pull. The jury might be out on the clinical effectiveness of oil pulling, but practical knowledge says that you can skip the swishing and stick to tried and true methods.

Citrus And Bananas: Do Their Peels Contain Whitening Power?

One of the sillier rumors floating around the internet is that you can whiten your teeth by rubbing them with the inside of a banana or citrus peel. There are various reasons why one method is preferred over the other, but the results are generally the same: nothing.

Some people have reported seeing real results from banana peels, and there is a reason for that: the magnesium and potassium in banana peels can temporarily polish the surfaces of your teeth. In just a few minutes away from the mirror that shine will fade, leaving your teeth looking the same as they did before.

Citrus is just a plain bad idea. The acid in the peels – which is reportedly the thing that bleaches your teeth – causes your enamel to soften and erode just like plaque bacteria does! Repeat exposure to citrus peels as a whitener is sure to get you some kind of result: a cavity.

How To Really Whiten Your Teeth

There’s only one way that’s been proven to whiten teeth again and again: professional whitening with a hydrogen peroxide gel. When you come to our Carmel office to whiten your teeth you’re getting a system that’s custom tailored to your wants and needs, not some over-the-counter or internet DIY stuff.

We’ve been creating great, shining smiles for years at Really Smile Dentistry, and we’d love to show you what we can do with yours. We’re confident that you’ll be amazed with your new look – and all without rubbing banana peels on your face.

Meet the Doctor

“I chose dentistry as my life’s work because I have the privilege to serve people in a way that is truly life-changing. I was honored with the appointment by Indianapolis Woman Magazine as Makeover Dentist 2008."